GT Zaskar LT 2021 in the first test: Not just any hardtail

Product news/test: The GT Zaskar is a legend, as it was one of the hottest hardtails you could buy. That was a few years ago, mountain biking was something for daredevils and daredevils. Zaskar has stuck as the name for GT hardtails and the 2021 Zaskar LT is again something for bikers who dare...

The first digit of the four-digit year was a one, and no one could have imagined that full-suspension bikes would become so widespread. Hans “No Way” Rey was already doing gymnastics through the landscape on a zaskar. The Californian by choice not only made it onto the podium at the X Games with his stunts, he was also seen on a bike in a US police series. He is considered one of the pioneers of the freeride and trials scene and made his bike, a GT Zaskar, incredibly popular in the scene.

https://www.velomotion.de/magazin/2015/07/gt-zaskar-2016-25-jahre-hardtail-evolution/

Back then, a mountain bike was an all-terrain bike and wasn't sorted into as many categories as is the norm today. And that brings us to the great specialty of the GT Zaskar LT: it's not just any MTB, it's not just any hardtail. At such a competitive price, it's not because of the equipment, it's absolutely okay, but not the highlight. The Zaskar LT is absolutely not a cross-country bike. With more suspension travel, a telescopic seat post and downhill tires, the bike wants to really pick up speed on the descents!

The Zaskar LT is available in two versions, the higher-quality Expert for 1.499 euros and an Elite version for bargain hunters, which only costs 1.199 euros and is only slightly inferior to the bike we tested.

The facts

In view of the attractive price, one can of course expect miracles from the built-in components, but the overall package is definitely above average. A solid RockShox 35 works at the front, which shouldn't have a hard time beating the rear triangle in terms of traction. Sram provides the drive and gears. There is an NX Eagle with 12 gears, the cassette has 11-50 teeth and a 32-tooth ring sits on the crank. Should work for pretty much anything.

A Shimano brake from the 400 series comes with 2 pistons and unfortunately also with relatively small brake discs. The wheels with good WTB ST i30 rims revolve around proven Formula hubs and should be able to take a beating. The mounted Maxxis tires, a Minion in 2,5 at the front and 2,4 at the rear, are also good for a thick enduro. The short stem with wide handlebars and the telescopic support fit the overall impression. GT sister brand Fabric supplies saddles, bottle cages and saddles.

The frame is the heart of the GT Zaskar LT. As befits a Zaskar, it is a Triple Triangle construction. The seatstays are welded to the top tube in front of the seat tube. In addition to an extraordinary look that ties in with the history of the Zaskar, this should ensure more comfort. The frame features current standards such as a Boost rear end and internally routed cables. The cable routing is cleverly solved, there is plenty of space at the bottom end at the bottom bracket, so you probably have to fiddle around a lot less than with many other bikes. There is room for two bottle cages and the dropper post cable can be neatly routed internally. If you look at the geometry, it becomes clear that this is neither a CC file nor a dirt bike. With 450 chain stays, a 66 degree steering angle and a wheelbase of around 123 centimeters on our test bike in size L, one thinks more of All Mountain or Enduro Fullys.

That's how it drives

First of all, it is necessary to talk about the Zaskar LT concept. With plenty of spring travel at the front, thick slippers and the long frame, you shouldn't expect a lively sprinter. At first you are almost a little shocked because you expected something else; most aggressive hardtails are rather compact. With the Zaskar LT, everything is one size bigger. Due to the long chainstays and the generous front end, the bike climbs quite willingly, despite the stable and not light parts. The sporty seating position and the Eagle cassette help uphill. At 75 degrees, the seat tube angle is modern and rather steep. You can put a lot of pressure on the pedal.

You can also feel the length of the bike in the manual, but despite the long chainstays it is well balanced. In any case, we advise you to choose the smaller size if in doubt. Simply because the bike is then easier to handle.

On the descent, the GT inspires self-confidence. In the first few meters you almost forget that you are not sitting on a full-suspension bike. The enduro cockpit, the Maxxis Minion 2,5 in the field of vision and the 35 mm fork visually reflect what the seating position and weight distribution convey: full throttle!

You let it fly and suddenly you notice in the rough terrain: Hardtail!!! I don't have a vacuum cleaner rear end with space kinematics! It rattles and rumbles and the stable GT paves its way. The pilot should hold on tight, then he will not be thrown off. The rear end is pretty stiff and not as comfortable as you might know from comparable hardtails with a steel frame. In the price range of the Zaskar LT, however, it will be difficult to find a more comfortable trail hardtail.

If you convert the tires to tubeless, possibly add a puncture protection insert at the back, you can significantly reduce the air pressure and traction improves significantly. A fat 650b tire with a width of 2,8 inches or more in the rear would also help. Although GT says that the Zaskar LT is only designed for 29″, the tire clearance at the rear is quite generous and – experimental as we are – we would at least try it.

If you want to slow down, it works reliably, but less powerfully than we would like on such a fast bike. However, larger brake discs would help the somewhat weakening Shimano entry-level brakes noticeably – without major conversion work or disproportionate financial investments. The handles from Fabric are great, the seat post from TranzX is nothing to complain about and has a very comfortable and high-quality operating lever. The Eagle circuit not only has a good range of gear ratios and shifts crisply, it also prevents annoying chain slap and annoying background noise thanks to the "Bearing Clutch".

The saddle is comfortable and looks great too. Only the sharp, unpadded edges could leave marks on the inner thighs in the long run, after all, a bike like the Zaskar LT is also ridden over the saddle.

We could talk a lot about the suspension fork now, but we don't think that's necessary in this case. The built-in 35 with 130mm is very difficult to push to its limits with a hardtail. The same applies to the tires: the Minion should be big enough for everything you tackle with a bike like this.

The motto is: don't circle, trail and trick, other and more compact hardtails can do that better. Ok, with a lot of physical effort you can also play around with the Zaskar LT. But we think: It's better to hold the handlebars tight, put on click shoes or at least good flat pedal shoes and hold on properly. The Zaskar is stable and noticeably smooth-running and encourages the driver to adopt this driving style.

To buy or not to buy?

Yes, because the Zaskar is a lot of fun and affordable. Such bikes have long been popular in England and the USA. Such a hardtail with solid parts can clearly outperform a cheap full-suspension bike when it comes to riding fun.

But we would do two things differently: We would swap the saddle, the dealer will probably agree to that when you buy it. If you don't mostly ride in fairly flat terrain or you're a flyweight, then at least larger brake discs are needed on such a potent bike. Gladly 180 rear and 200 front. And another tip: convert the tires to tubeless, then you can use less air pressure at the rear and leave it there even more!

www.gtbicycles.com